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Topic: Word Formation

polysemy

IPA: /pəˈlɪsəmi/

KK: /pɑˈlɪsəmi/

noun

Definition: The quality of a word or phrase having more than one meaning or interpretation.

Example: The word 'bank' is an example of polysemy because it can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river.

polysyllabic

IPA: /ˌpɒlɪˈsɪləbɪk/

KK: /pɑlɪˈsɪləbɪk/

adjective

Definition: Describing words that have multiple syllables, typically more than three.

Example: The word 'unbelievable' is polysyllabic because it has five syllables.

portmanteau

IPA: //pɔːrtˈmæn.təʊ//

KK: /pɔrtˈmænˌtoʊ/

adjective

Definition: A word that combines the sounds and meanings of two different words, or something that has multiple uses or qualities.

Example: The term 'brunch' is a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch.

noun

Definition: A large suitcase that can be opened into two parts, or a word formed by combining parts of two or more words.

Example: She packed her clothes into a portmanteau for the trip.

postbase

IPA: /ˈpoʊstbeɪs/

KK: /ˈpoʊstbeɪs/

noun

Definition: A part of a word that is added after the main part to change its meaning or create a new word.

Example: In linguistics, a postbase can modify the meaning of the base word it follows.

postfixed

IPA: /ˈpoʊstfɪkst/

KK: /ˈpoʊstfɪkst/

adjective

Definition: Describing something that has been modified by adding a postfix, which is a group of letters added to the end of a word.

Example: The term 'unhappiness' is an example of a postfixed word, where 'un' is added to the root 'happy'.

verb

Definition: To add something at the end of another thing, especially in a grammatical or mathematical context.

Example: The teacher postfixed the explanation with an example to clarify the concept.

prefix

IPA: /ˈprɛfɪks/

KK: /ˈprɛfɪks/

adjective

Definition: Relating to something that is placed before another thing, especially in terms of language or mathematics.

Example: In programming, a prefix operator is applied to its operand before the operand itself.

noun

Definition: A part added to the front of a word to change its meaning or create a new word.

Example: In the word 'unhappy', 'un-' is a prefix that means 'not'.

transitive verb

Definition: To add a word or letter at the beginning of another word to change its meaning.

Example: You can prefix the word 'un' to 'happy' to make 'unhappy'.

prefixal

IPA: /ˈprɛfɪksəl/

KK: /ˈprɛfɪksəl/

adjective

Definition: Relating to or functioning as a prefix, which is a word part added to the beginning of another word to change its meaning.

Example: In linguistics, a prefixal element can significantly alter the meaning of the root word.

prefixed

IPA: /ˈprɛfɪkst/

KK: /ˈprɛfɪkst/

adjective

Definition: Describing something that has been added at the beginning or front of another word or element.

Example: The word 'unhappy' is prefixed with 'un' to indicate the opposite meaning.

verb

Definition: To add something at the beginning of another thing, often to change its meaning or function.

Example: The teacher prefixed the student's name to the list of participants.

premodify

IPA: /ˌpriːˈmɒdɪfaɪ/

KK: /priːˈmɒdɪfaɪ/

verb

Definition: To change or adjust something before it is used or considered.

Example: In grammar, adjectives often premodify nouns to provide more detail.

prepose

IPA: //priˈpoʊz//

KK: /priˈpoʊz/

verb

Definition: To place or set something in front of or before something else.

Example: In the sentence, the teacher decided to prepose the subject for clarity.

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